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Sunday, October 27, 2013

Kirk Tunic at Julien's Auction

Julien's Auctions is having another one of its high-end auctions and this time, they are selling some prime TOS items.

Sadly, their signature Star Trek item is a TOS Kirk tunic with an autograph marring the front. Everyone I know was horrified when they saw this. Obviously someone had no clue that having a star sign a valuable prop or costume actually DEVALUES that item.

This is a Season 3 Double Knit tunic. Less desirable than the Season 1/2 velour. The Velour Kirk tunic in last year's Profiles auction went for $ 80,000 before buyer's premium ($ 98,400 with BP). This one? I think it is worth HALF that at best, and more like $30,000.

The auction description:

A pale green Starfleet uniform tunic made for Captain James T. Kirk, played by William Shatner, for use in the third season of Star Trek
(Desilu Productions, 1966-1969). While appearing gold onscreen, the
actual color was described as "avocado" by costume designer William Ware
Theiss. The tunic is made of a double knit stretch nylon with attached
black spring weave collar. The tunic is closed by a hidden zipper, which
runs from the waist to the top of the collar and finished with a hook
closure. The tunic also has a double gusset design on both sides, a
construction technique exclusive to the tunics made for Shatner. The
Command delta shield insignia is zig-zag stitched to the left breast of
the tunic and the sleeves are finished with the command braid made of
multiple colors of thread embroidered over gold Mylar. The braid
configuration signifies the rank of captain, and the size, hemline
placement and age of the materials and components is consistent with a
tunic made for Shatner. The tunic has been hand signed by Shatner across
the chest with black marker. A photo of Shatner with the signed tunic
is included. Also included is a pair of custom knee high black leather
boots made originally for Shatner. The boots, size 9, are hand inscribed
“Shatner #2,” “W. Shatner” and “W.S.” The boots were used by Shatner,
then moved to background player costuming when they became too worn for
principal actor wear. Shatner’s name is crossed out and the word “Stock”
is hand inscribed above. The original leather sole and heel have been
replaced as well. The boot zippers do not match, which may indicate that
the pair was put together from two different pairs or a zipper was
damaged and replaced.